Kathmandu, July 3 : Nepal Government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday signed a labour pact that will protect the rights of Nepalese working in the UAE.

The pact makes the Nepalese labourers eligible to receive salary and benefits at par with workers of other countries, besides giving them legal recognition and protection.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between visiting UAE Labour Minister Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al-Kaabi and Nepal's State Minister for Labour Ramesh Lekhak here today.

After signing the agreement, Al Kaabi said that the MoU would ensure the Nepali workers safety, prevent them from being exploited, right to minimum wage and have legal rights.

A mechanism comprising of both Nepal and the UAE officials will be formed to evaluate the implementation of the pact.

"This mechanism will hold an annual meeting to evaluate the pact and problems that arise in its implementation," Lekhak was quoted by Kantipur online as saying.

This is also the first labour pact between Nepal and a Gulf country.

An estimated 150,000 Nepalese are working in the UAE.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met Al Kaabi at Baluwatar.